Sushi is an iconic Japanese food. The image of sliced fish on top of bite-sized rice is deeply associated with Japan. However, its origin story begins somewhere else in the world. And with a very humble beginning.

While karaoke is ubiquitous around the world, Japan just happens to take it to another level. After all, it was invented in Japan: kara meaning 'empty' and oke a shortened word for 'orchestra.' Basically, a one-person band...

Let's look at the most popular Japanese girls and boys baby names in 2015 and continuing into 2016. Each list contains the top 11 female and male names along with the top kanji spellings and meanings for each name.

This is an on-going story about all the best kept Japan travel secrets. If you're the type of traveler who likes the road less taken by, then this is for you. If you don't mind getting lost, jumping on local trains and buses, and exploring with your own two feet, then "have love, will travel."